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*This is a revised and updated version of a post I published on the blog back in 2011.

I feel like I walk a fine line as a blogger sometimes. First and foremost, I am a bibliophile. But I am also a high school English teacher, a lover of technology, and a book reviewer. Because I review books that I receive from publishers and at conferences, I am fortunate to receive ARCs, or advance review copies, sometimes. This means I get to read and review some books before they are published.

ARCs and review copies I picked up at NCTE this past November. All ARCs went to my classroom library.

I teach at a fabulous high school that shares a campus with the local community college. We do not have a school library, but the students have access to the campus library at all times. This means they can access databases, journals, and other periodicals that most high schools can’t afford. But it also means that they do not have a library geared towards high schoolers. There is no YA section, no popular fiction section, no best-sellers shelf. Thus, my classroom library is utilized by many students in my school of almost 300.

All over the country, education budgets are being slashed, teachers are having their pay cut, and school librarians are being RIFed. Classroom libraries, which are almost always to be teacher-funded (out of teachers’ own pockets), are certainly suffering. However, research shows that classroom libraries are vital – they encourage students to read more! We need to do everything we can to encourage students to become lifelong readers. But it takes a village to raise a reader.

According to research, school libraries should provide at least 13 books per student. That means I need 3900 books for my students! Those books should be age-appropriate, showcase a variety of genres, support the curriculum, and reflect student interests. I am going to be honest here- I can not afford to purchase the dozens of books my students need every year. I pay for all of the books in my classroom library, just like most teachers. In my case, I am very lucky because I do receive review copies and ARCs, from publishers and at conferences like NCTE. For other teachers, this means ordering from Scholastic, visiting warehouse sales, soliciting donations from students/parents, and looking longingly at those new titles in the bookstore but knowing it’s impossible to buy them all.

As a blogger/reviewer, I know I am extremely lucky. I have access to review copies and ARCs, which are all placed in my classroom library. Publishers value the “buzz” that is generated by these early copies and my students love that they get a chance to read books before they are officially published. I start the year by explaining what ARCs are and showing the students some unfinished copies. My sixth-graders and my high schoolers both understood that ARCs are not finished works and may differ from the final draft. But ARCs work wonders with readers.

ARCs are magical. Nothing hooks a reluctant reader like the promise of reading a story before the rest of the world has access to it. That, plus the knowledge that they can share their thoughts on Goodreads is the best motivator I have! I utilize ARCs almost daily in my classroom. At the beginning of the school year, I explain ARCs to my students. We analyze a few older copies (whatever hasn’t fallen apart from the year before) and note the differences between ARCs and finished copies. This ensures that the students are aware that ARCs are not final copies and may have errors in them, lack illustrations, and so on. The students are usually fascinated by this because they have not had access to ARCs in the past or never knew they existed.

I show the students our ARCs shelf and explain how it will be updated whenever I get new ARCs. I tell the students that they are free to borrow ARCs at any time, but there is one requirement: they must share their ARC experience after reading it. This can mean writing a review on Goodreads, passing the recommendation on to a friend, or ordering a finished copy of their own. Whenever I get a new ARC, I try to booktalk it before placing it in the library. As soon as I mention “ARC”, students wake up and pay attention.

ARCs help me decide how to develop my classroom library collection, too. If an ARC catches fire and is passed from student to student, falling apart as it moves through the class, I know I need to order a few finished copies. This happened with The Hunger Games when I taught 6th grade. My single ARC was in tatters before the finished copies were published, long before most people knew who Katniss, Gale, and Peeta were. I knew I would need more than one copy on my bookshelf because the ARC was so popular. Needless to say, I was right. More recently, my ARC of Matthew Quick’s Boy21 became popular with many of my students and I made sure to purchase a finished copy for the classroom library. If an ARC has a small, but dedicated, fanbase, I make sure I put a single copy in the classroom. If an ARC has a rabid following, then I will try to find more than one copy. ARCs usually last a season or two in my classroom before falling apart, so it is imperative that I replace the most popular and well-loved ARCs with finished copies!

Unfortunately, many teachers don’t have access to ARCs because they don’t blog, can’t afford to attend conferences, and aren’t aware of local publisher previews. That is why I started #ARCsFloatOn. ARCs can not be cataloged in libraries (public or school) because they are not finished copies. They also can not be sold. Thus, many reviewers end up throwing ARCs away after they read them, often long before the finished copies are produced. There are thousands of teachers across the country who are dying to give those ARCs a second chance. They put them in classroom libraries, give them to student groups, and use them to make collection development decision.

#ARCsFloatOn encourages reviewers to recycle those ARCs and get them into the hands of kids and teens!

ARCs Float On is a grassroots effort by me, a Reach A Reader Advisory Board member. The program aims to get ARCs into classroom libraries by matching willing donors with needy teachers.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Teachers interested in being contacted by donors may register here. Your information will be vetted and added to our searchable database. Reviewers with books to donate may search the database for schools. Donors are then responsible for contacting teachers with a list of the books they have available, and to arrange for shipping or dropoff of the books–it’s up to both parties how to “float” the ARCs. Donors are responsible for all arrangements and shipping costs. We just provide you with the means to connect.

I’ve shipped many middle grade and elementary ARCs to other teachers, using Priority Mail flat rate boxes. For approximately $11 I can ship 15-20 books to another teacher. Most of the time, the teachers are willing to pay shipping costs, which makes it even easier for the donors.

If you are interested in donating books, you may check our database at the #ARCsFloatOn website.

By donating the books that you receive for free, you are promoting awareness of great books and authors, helping teachers and librarians, and encouraging more reading. You can learn even more about this initiative through the Twitter hashtag, #ARCsFloatOn.

I can’t imagine not having the opportunity to share ARCs with my students. Like a librarian or bookseller, I am constantly handselling books to my students. A highly coveted ARC can turn into 10-20 book sales within my school. But more importantly, at least to me, an ARC can turn a dormant reader into a voracious reader. Having the opportunity to read a story and share an opinion before the general public can attract dormant readers to my classroom library. And reading one book can lead to reading another. It can lead to a student finding a favorite author or a genre they enjoy. And that means we all win. This is why e-ARCs don’t work for me. I need paper copies because e-ARCs expire and can not be shared with my students. I would hate to see paper ARCs eliminated. Instead, I want to see paper ARCs getting a second and third chance at life in classroom libraries!

*#ARCsFloatOn is endorsed by many of the major publishers! They are happy to see ARCs getting into the hands of students. ARCs can not be cataloged in a library, but classroom libraries are a-ok. The ARCs don’t last long (a season or so) and most teachers then end up purchasing a hardcover copy. Again, a win-win for publishers and students alike.

Below please find a press release for Reach a Reader, the result of much hard work on the part of a few Kidlitosphere members. (And special thanks to Sarah Jamila Stevenson for all of her hard work on the website!!)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Reach a Reader Connects Book Donors, Authors and Illustrators with Teachers and School Libraries

Reach a Reader strives to marry readers and schools, moving books out of the garbage pile and into the donation pile. Students read more when they have access to updated, exciting literature. Reach a Reader hopes to ensure that more school and classroom libraries are well-stocked with the latest and greatest in literature.

Research shows that classroom and school libraries are vital for students of all ages. Unfortunately, in this age of budget cuts and economic struggles, most school districts do not have the funds to support classroom and school libraries. Many teachers and librarians provide high-interest reading material to their students by purchasing it themselves, a practice that is becoming more difficult as teachers and librarians are losing their jobs. Reach a Reader works to link book donors with school and classroom libraries, taking ARCs and review copies out of the garbage and putting them into the hands of students.

A diverse group of bloggers began working on Reach a Reader a few months ago with the intention of finding ways to get ARCs (advance review copies) and review copies into classrooms. Bloggers, reviewers, authors, illustrators, and publishers frequently have access to ARCs and review copies which end up in the trash once reviews are posted. Reach a Reader will serve as a clearinghouse and a way to connect those with books to those who need them. Resources are available for schools and libraries, authors and illustrators, and book donors. The site is designed to make it easy for book donors and those in need to connect with one another.

Site users will be able donate to specific teachers or grade levels by searching through a database. Teachers and librarians can sign up, noting the age range they serve and the types of books they are interested in receiving.

Resources for schools and libraries: ARCsFloatOn: Because it isn’t a good idea to re-sell ARCs, many reviewers and bloggers would like to find places in their community to donate these books. ARCs Float On is a grassroots effort by Reach A Reader Advisory Board member Sarah Mulhern Gross of The Reading Zone to get ARCs into classroom libraries by connecting teachers with bloggers and authors.

Book Donations: Donors will be able to sort through programs including Reading Is Fundamental’s Books for Ownership Program, Guys Lit Wire’s Book Fair for Boys, and many more programs in need of book donations.

School and Virtual Visits: Resources to help connect schools with authors and illustrators.

Resources for Authors and Illustrators:
A variety of websites and social media tools to bring authors and illustrators into schools and libraries.

Book Donors: Those who have books to donate can choose from a variety of programs that accept book donations.

All over the country, education budgets are being slashed, teachers are having their pay cut, and students are struggling. Classroom libraries, which tend to be teacher-funded (out of teachers’ own pockets), are certainly suffering. However, research shows that classroom libraries are vital – they encourage students to read more! We need to do everything we can to encourage students to become lifelong readers. But it takes a village to raise a reader. 🙂

As a blogger/reviewer, I am extremely lucky. I have access to review copies and ARCs, which are all donated to my classroom library. The books are reviewed by me (most of them), then passed on. My students, all members of Goodreads, then share their thoughts on Goodreads, so the authors and books receive more word-of-mouth advertising. Inevitably, some students end up purchasing a copy (e-book or paper) because they want their own copy. It’s a win-win situation.

My students love review copies, but ARCs are even more magical. Nothing hooks a reluctant reader like the promise of reading a book before the rest of the world has access to it. That, plus the knowledge that they can then share their thoughts on Goodreads is the best motivator I have! So many bloggers have ARCs collecting dust on their shelves, or end up tossing them into the trash because they plan to purchase the hardcover when it is released. Recycle those ARCs and get them into the hands of kids and teens!

But we need bloggers! I have over 200 teachers, with more signing up everyday, looking to partner with bloggers/reviewers. The teachers are divided by age level. I have early elementary looking for picture books and early readers, middle grade teachers, and high school teachers looking for YA and adult books. How can you help? Sign up and become a book fairy! Tell me what type of ARCs or review books you are looking to “float on” to students and teachers. Teachers have volunteered to pay for shipping via USPS flat rate mail. None of the teachers are picky- they will take any books you are able to stuff into the flat rate box!

How does it work? You sign up via the Googledocs form. I then pair you with a teacher looking for books in the category you place yourself in. You will be contacted with the contact info for a teacher or two. At that point, you can email the teacher(s) and set up shipping payment via Paypal, check, or anything else you are comfortable with. Then, you mail out your books and somewhere, students are very, very happy! The books you send are up to you- ARCs, review copies, anything you have. Classroom libraries are in need and YOU can help. Plus, you get to clean off your bookshelves and make room for new books!

It’s easy. I’ve already mailed off about 10 packages to teachers in elementary school and middle school, clearing my shelves of the books not appropriate for my current grade level. It’s a fantastic feeling, knowing how those students light up when their classroom teacher brings in a box of brand new books. Don’t you want to be a part of that magic, too?

Questions? Comment here, or contact me on Twitter @thereadingzone. And please- pass on the word to other bloggers/reviewers!

*#ARCsFloatOn is endorsed by many of the major publishers! They are happy to see ARCs getting into the hands of students. 🙂 ARCs can not be cataloged in a library, but classroom libraries are a-ok. The ARCs don’t last long (a season or so) and most teachers then end up purchasing a hardcover copy. Again, a win-win for publishers and students alike.

Since starting at my new school, I have not been blogging as much. I’ve been working on my curriculum, getting to know my students as readers, and grading a lot! I have been trying to keep up with my reading, though, and I’ve been posting reviews here on the blog (with more to come). My to-be-read pile of books continues to grow exponentially, adding titles from blogger reviews, student suggestions, and review books that I receive.

I get a lot of books for review. At least twice each week I come home to find packages on the porch. Right now, as a Cybils panelist, I am receiving review copies of the nominated YA/middle grade nonfiction titles. Some of the books I receive are finished copies and others are ARCs (advanced readers copies). I read as many as I can, posting reviews here and on Goodreads. Publishers value the “buzz” that is generated by these early copies and my students love that they get a chance to read books before they are officially published. I start the year by explaining what ARCs are and showing them some unfinished copies. My sixth-graders and my high schoolers both understood that ARCs are not finished works and may differ from the final draft. But ARCs work wonders with readers. Even the most reluctant reader can be swayed when they realize they are first. They are holding a copy of the book before almost anyone else.

After I read, my ARCs and review copies are put in my classroom library. Upcoming books are shelved separately, drawing in reluctant readers. ARCs that have been published (and physically survived my classroom) are moved onto the general shelves of my library. Books that are not a good fit for my classroom are given to other teachers. My sister teaches high school special ed and is just starting her classroom library. I brought her boxes of high-interest but low-level books this summer. I also give middle grade titles and elementary titles to other friends who teach those grade levels. The teachers are always extremely grateful. Plus, my husband is happy because the books are out of our house! (Honestly, it is only temporary because more books soon replace those that are gone).

Classroom libraries are a vital part of students’ lives. According to Scholastic’s Classroom Libraries Work: Research & Results,

By providing access to a rich classroom library, teachers promote greater amounts of reading, increased reading frequency, and more diverse reading experiences among their students, thus helping them to attain greater levels of reading achievement.

Unfortunately, almost all teachers fund their classroom libraries on their own. This means ordering from Scholastic, visiting warehouse sales, soliciting donations from students/parents, and looking longingly at those new titles in the bookstore but knowing it’s impossible to buy them all. I am extremely lucky; as a reviewer, I have access to the newest titles. But for most of my friends, this is not true. The economy has hit schools and teachers hard. Spending extra money on trade books for the classroom library is hard to justify when it means your own family might do without something else. Schools are spending their money elsewhere, unable to fund classroom libraries.

While joining in the monthly Twitter chat for #titletalk, Donalyn Miller (The Book Whisperer) and I started talking about this issue. I brought up the fact that I know many bloggers who are inundated with titles and have nowhere to donate them. ARCs can not be sold or cataloged by an actual library, so many are thrown out. Most public libraries are unable to accept donations of review copies, or finished copies. (I know mine can not, and I have tried, and tried!)

I suggested that we start a campaign to encourage book reviewers and bloggers to donate their review books and advanced reader copies to classrooms and charities in their communities. I know many of the reviewers already donate their books to local schools, libraries, and literacy charities. However, I talked to many on Twitter who did not know what to do with their copies.

This is my plea- find a worthy charity or a local classroom teacher. Give them your ARCs and review copies when you are done. Tweens and teens NEED access to good books, new literature. Reviewers are in a special position here and can really help out in these tough economic times. If you receive free books from publishers (ARCs or review copies!), please consider donating your review books. By donating the books that you receive for free, you are promoting awareness of great books and authors, helping teachers and librarians, and encouraging more reading. Learn more about this initiative or connect to a classroom through the Twitter hashtag, #ARCsFloatOn.

If you are interested, and don’t know how to get matched with a local teacher, feel free to comment here or Tweet me. I would be happy to do some matchmaking!

*Please remember, ARCs can not be cataloged by an actual library. However, personal classroom libraries can accept ARCs!